Door operator

ABSTRACT

A power operated tilting door system for opening and closing a portal in a building includes a door and pivot elements in the building mounting the door for tilting movement on a horizontal axis. A winch and a motor for rotating the winch are carried by the door adjacent the upper edge thereof. An elongate strand wraps around the winch, one end of the strand being secured by a quick release unit to the building and the other being secured to the door remotely from the winch. A strand tension member is mounted on the building and extends therefrom to a position, near the winch location when the door is open, for supporting the portion of the strand between the winch and the other end of said strand. The ends of the strand and the tension member are located to equalize the required length of the strand at all positions of the door. Limit switches are fixedly mounted with respect to the building for engagement by an actuator pivotable with the door so as to de-energize the motor at the fully open and fully closed positions of the door.

baited States Patent [1 1 Smith Jan. 15, 1974 DOOR OPERATOR Wesley A. Smith, Island of Drummond, Mich. 49726 Filed: July 14, 1972 Appl. No.: 272,021

inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1932 Morse 49/358 X 8/1942 Mims 49/358 3/1960 Marmont et al. 49/200 X 7/l97l Law 49/199 X 1,862.860 2.294,04l 2929,623 3.59l,98l

Primary ExaminerKenneth Downey Al!0rneyWoodhams, Blanchard & Flynn [57] ABSTRACT A power operated tilting door system for opening and closing a portal in a building includes a door and pivot elements in the building mounting the door for tilting movement on a horizontal axis. A winch and a motor for rotating the winch are carried by the door adjacent the upper edge thereof. An elongate strand wraps around the winch, one end of the strand being secured by a quick release unit to the building and the other being secured to the door remotely from the winch. A strand tension member is mounted on the building and extends therefrom to a position, near the winch location when the door is open, for supporting the portion of the strand between the winch and the other end of said strand. The ends of the strand and the tension member are located to equalize the required length of the strand at all positions of the door. Limit switches are fixedly mounted with respect to the building for engagement by an actuator pivotable with the door so as to d e-energize the motor at the fully open and fully closed positions of the door.

19 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures enemas FATENTEDJAN 15 I874 SHEET 2 BF 4 PATENTEUJAM 15 1914 I 3385089 sum u a; 4

Ejgj 4/ 33 7 192 noon OPERATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tilting, or canopy-like, door system and more particularly to a power operated tilting door system, particularly adapted for use as a garage door or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a power operated tilting door system for opening and closing a portal in a building which includes a door and pivot elements in the building mounting the door for tilting movement on a horizontal axis. A winch and a motor for rotating the winch are carried by the door adjacent the upper edge thereof. An elongate strand wraps around the winch, one end of the strand being secured by a quick release unit to the building and the other being secured to the door remotely from the winch. A strand tension member is mounted on the building and extends therefrom to a position, near the winch when the door is open, for supporting the portion of the strand between the winch and the other end of said strand. The ends of the strand and the tension member are located to equalize the required length of the strand at all positions of the door. Limit switches are fixedly mounted with respect to the building for engagement by an actuator pivotable with the door so as to de-energize the motor at the fully open and fully closed positions of the door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, power operated garage doors and the like have been known for many years. A common type of power operated garage door is of the articulated sliding type wherein a door having a plurality of horizontally extending, hinge connected panels is supported on opposite sides on a parallel pair of generally L-shaped tracks, the door being movable from a substantially vertical closed position upwardly and interiorly of the building structure to a horizontal, stored or open position. Power actuators in such sliding door systems generally employ a motor unit mounted interiorly of the building structure remotely from the door opening, the motor unit being connected through an elongate chain, screw or the like to the door for opening and closing same. Door systems of such type take a substantial amount of space within the building structure, which could often be used for other purposes, such as storage, and generally utilize relatively complex power devices.

Power operated tilting, or canopy-like, doors pivotally mounted near the upper end of the door opening have also been known for a number of years. Door systems of this type, of which I am aware, have in the past generally used rack and pinion, worm and gear or other such mechanical drives requiring careful machining and accurate interengagement of parts to function properly and have been relatively complex and expensive.

Accordingly, the objects and purposes of this invention include provision of:

l. A tilting or canopy-type door system which includes a power operator of improved type.

2. A power operated door system, as aforesaid, which utilizes a winch driven cable, or strand, to accomplish opening and closing of the door.

3. A door system, as aforesaid, in which the winch and drive motor therefor are mounted on the door adjacent the upper edge thereof and above the pivotal support for the door so as to assist in counterbalancing of the door.

4. A door system, as aforesaid, which substantially avoids use of complex critical tolerance machined parts in transferring of door opening and closing forces between the door and building structure and which includes provision for equalizing the sum of cable reach lengths for all door positions between and including the open and closed door positions.

5. A door system, as aforesaid, in which the power operator requires only a minimum of space additional to that required by the door as it swings between its open and closed positions.

6. A door system, as aforesaid, in which the power operator, when de-energized, automatically frictionally locks the door in any desired position intermediate and including the open and closed door positions.

7. A door system, as aforesaid, including means for manually operating the power operator in the event of a power failure or the like and further including provision for disengaging the power operator from the door to allow manual opening and closing of the door, by direct engagment of the door.

8. A door system, as aforesaid, including improved limit switch actuation for automatically de-energizing the door motor as the door reaches its fully open and fully closed positions.

9. A door system, as aforesaid, in which the force applied to the door by the door operator is adjustable and wherein the moving door can be stopped by a relatively small retarding force, as upon encountering an object such as a person or vehicle in its path of movement and with little or no damage to the object or the door.

10. A door system, as aforesaid, in which the power operator is readily adapted to use with existing, installed canopy-type doors and is readily incorporated in new canopy door constructions, which door system and power operator therefor are economical to manufacture and are readily installed by persons of limited skill and experience.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partially broken, side elevational view of a partially open, power operated canopytype door embodying the present invention and shown mounted on a building wall partially broken away for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, interior elevational view of the door system of FIG. 1 in its fully closed position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken substantially on the line III-III of FIG. 2 showing the limit switch actuating mechanism in a position corresponding to a fully opened door position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view substantially taken on the line IVlV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially broken view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the winch mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partially broken view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the motor and slip clutch.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partially broken, sectional view substantially taken on the line VII-VII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partially broken, sectional view substantially taken on the line VIIIVIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view substantially taken on the line IX-IX of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, partially broken, interior elevational view corresponding generally to the drive portion of FIG. 2 in enlarged scale and showing a modified winch drive arrangement.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view substantially similar to FIG. 1 and disclosing a further modified winch drive arrangement.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words upward, downward," rightward and leftward will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inward and outward will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. The words interior" and exterior" will refer to the sides of the door normally facing into and out of the building when the door is in a closed position. Said terminlogy will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 discloses a power operated tilting door system 10, embodying the invention, installed for opening and closing a portal or door opening 12 in a wall 13 of a building, such as a garage. The door opening 12 is preferably rectangular and may be framed along its top and sides in any conventional manner, the opening 12 here extending downwardly to the floor 19 of the building structure in a conventional manner. Upstanding mounting plates, one of which is indicated at 21, are fixed to the interior face of the wall 13 on each side of the opening 12 by any convenient means such as lag screws 22 or the like. The mounting plates 21 may conveniently be heavy planks. In the particular embodiment shown, the edge of the lower portion of the mounting plate 21 overhangs the side of the door opening 12, the upper end of the mounting plate being notched as generally indicated at 23 in FIG. 2 to provide clearance for the tilting door, described below, during opening movement thereof.

The system 10 includes a tilting or canopy-type door 26 (FIG. I), here of one piece construction. The door 26 preferably comprises an exteriorly facing closure panel 27, the height of which exceeds that of the opening 12. Side rails, one of which is indicated at 29 are fixed to the interior face of the panel 27. The side rails 29 are close spaced to the edge of the closure panel 27 and extend from the upper edge thereof to a point near the lower edge thereof. The side rails 29 are spaced to clear the inboard edges 30 (FIG. 2) of the mounting plates 21. A boxlike ballast housing 31 is fixed to and extends between the upper ends of the side rails 29 for fixedly carrying balance weights (not shown) in a conventional manner. To the extent above-described, the door 26 is of a conventional nature.

Bearing carriers, one of which is indicated at 33, are fixedly secured as by screws 34 (FIGS. 1 and 7) tothe mounting plates 21 on opposite sides of the door 26.

Each bearing carrier is preferably formed with a rolled and interiorly extending portion 36. A suitable bearing 35 is horizontally disposed within the rolled portion 36 and is vertically adjustably located by adjustment screws 37 and 38. Pivot bolts, one of which is indicated at 39, are horizontally and coaxially affixed to the door side rails 29 intermediate the ends thereof and extend outwardly from the door side rails through the bearings 36. The pivot bolts 39 are provided with heads 41, here of hexagonal form. Thus, the door 26 is mounted by means of the bolts 39 and bearing ctfiriers 33 for tilting movement about a horizontal axis defined by the common axis of the pivot bolts 39. Such pivot axis is interiorly displaced from the interior face of the building wall 13 and to a lesser extent from the exterior face of the door 26 so as to allow the door to assume a position with its exterior face vertical when closing the opening 12. On the other hand, the height of the door pivot axis is such as to allow the door to assume a substantially horixontal position when fully opened and with its closure panel 27 adjacent the top edge of the opening 12.

The door 26 is thus readily pivotable from a substantially upright closed position to a substantially horizontal open position, the door when closed overlapping at its upper end the portion of the building wall 13 above the opening 12.

The system 10 includes a powered door operator assembly 46 (FIGS. 1 and 2) located at one side of the door, here for example at the rightward side of the door as viewed from the bulding interior. The door operator assembly 46 includes a reversible motor 47, here an electric motor (FIG. 2). The mounting plate 48 of the motor 47 is bolted at 49 to the door ballast housing 31 adjacent the corresponding side rail 29. The shaft 51 of the motor 47, here by use ofa coupling 52 and shaft extension 52 (FIG. 6), horizontally extends through an opening 50 in the adjacent side rail 29. The motor 47 is disposed above the pivot bolt 39 (FIG. 2) and immediately below the ballast housing 31 whereby its weight helps to counterbalance the door. The motor 47, since mounted interiorly of the closure panel 27 of the door, is protected from weather.

The motor 47 is energized through an electrical cable 53 (FIG. 2) which, in the particular embodiment shown, extends therefrom upwardly into the ballast housing 31 and thence, downwardly along the inner face of the adjacent side rail 29 to a location near the pivot bolt 39 whereat the remaining portion 53' of the cable extends rightwardly and outboard beyond the door to control means hereinafter discussed.

A pulley 56 mounted on the motor shaft 51 outboard of the side rail 29 is rotatably driven by the motor through an adjustable friction slip clutch of any conventional nature. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6, such is accomplished by rotatably supporting the pulley 56 on the shaft extension 52' and providing a second pulley 57, or the like, in rotatively fixed (e.g. keyed) engagement on the shaft with a disclike friction member 55 disposed axially between pulleys S6 and 57. A resilient compression element 59 and a nut 58 are carried on the shaft outboard of the clutch pulley 57, the nut 58 threadedly engaging the end of the shaft extension 52', whereby threaded adjustment of the nut 58 changes the resilient axial compression force exerted on the friction disc 55 by the pulleys 57 and 56 and thus determines the maximum torque which can be applied by the shaft 51 to the pulley 56.

A winch unit 61 (FIG. 2) is fixedly supported adjacent the upper end of the door 26 and immediately outboard of the rightward door side rail 29 by means of a mounting bar 62 secured by bolts 63 to the upper end of the door. The winch unit 61 includes a winch 65 having a mounting bracket 67, here of generally L-shape, fixed, as by screws, beneath the mounting bar 62. As shown in more detail in FIG. 5, the winch 65 includes a reduction gear section 68 flxed to the horizontal leg of the mounting bracket 67. A rotatable input shaft 69 extends leftwardly from the reduction gear section 68' for driving same. A rotatable output sleeve 71 extends rightwardly from the reduction gear housing 68 and is rotatably driven thereby at reduced speed upon rotation of the input shaft 69. The leftward end of the output sleeve 71 is provided with a radially extending flange 72 adjacent the reduction gear section 68. An outboard bearing 74 carried by a depending leg 75 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 67 supports a rightward extension 76 of the input shaft. A manually actuable crank 77 fixed to the rihtward shaft extension 76 allows manual rotation of the input shaft 69, for example in case of power failure. It will be understood that a portion of the shaft extension 76 is telescoped through the output sleeve 71 and preferably provides radial bearing support therefor. A radial flange 79 is fixed to the output sleeve 71 adjacent the rightward end thereof.

In the preferred embodiment shown, a spool or intermediate sleeve 81 snugly but rotatably surrounds the output sleeve 71 between the flanges 72 and 79. The intermediate sleeve 81 is provided at its rightward end with a radial flange 82 which lies axially adjacent, and is preferably of similar radial extent to, the output sleeve flange 79. An axially adjustable drive pin 84, or the like, selectively interconnects the flanges 82 and 70 to cause the intermediate sleeve 81 to rotate with the output sleeve 71. Disengagement (remote, if desired) of the pin 84 allows the spool 81 to rotate freely on the output sleeve 71, for manual door operation.

The intermediate portion of an elongate strand 87, preferably a steel cable and in the preferred embodiment shown having a vinyl covering layer, is wound in one layer about the spool 81. The resulting layer of cable is snugly circumferentially surrounded by a sheet metal cover 89 which adjacent its opposite ends is provided with outlet openings 91 and 92 through which strand end portions 96 and 97 respectively extend. The strand end portions 96 and 97 are wrapped circumferentially around the cover 89 in opposite directions, in the same direction of wrap as the connected parts of the intermediate portion of the strand 87. The cable end portions 96 and 97 spirally axially inwardly along the cover 89 toward each other. The strand end portions 96 and 97 tangentially leave the cover 89 substantially in opposite transverse directions, as hereinafter discussed, and are axially close spaced. The above arrangement fixedly connects the strand to the spool 81 and prevents rotation of the intermediate portion of the strand with respect to the spool 81, without resort to cable clips or other fastening means. Moreover, the cable ends 96 and 97 tend to wrap and unwrap in a uniform manner without any tendency for one cable portion to overlie the other.

The input shaft 69 of the winch 65 fixedly carries a pulley 99 (FIG. 2). A belt 101 snugly encircles the clutch driven motor pulley 56 and winch pulley 99 for rotatably driving the input shaft of the winch upon rotation of the motor 47.

A cable tension, or idler, unit 106 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) is provided for changing the direction of the lower strand end 97. The idler unit 106 includes a lever 108 having a generally U-shaped base element 109 and an extension 111. The extension 111 is adjustably fixed to the base member 109 by any convenient means, herein including bolts 113 to allow adjustment of the effective length of the lever 108. The lever 108 extends from the pivot bolt 39 interiorly of the building and is normally somewhat downwardly sloped as indicated in FIG. 1. The free ends of the lever base element 109 are flared to snugly but pivotally sandwich therebetween the rolled upper portion 36 of the door bearing carrier 33 and are pierced by coaxial openings for receiving the pivot bolt 39 therethrough. In this manner, the lever 108 is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of tilting movement of the door 26.

The idler unit 106 further includes a positioning rod 116 which extends from a location adjacent the mounting plate 21, below the door pivot bolt 39, upwardly and interiorly toward the intermediate portion of the lever 108. In the particular embodiment shown, the bearing carrier 33 is provided with an angled lower end portion 118 spaced below the door pivot axis to which the threaded lower end of the rod 116 is fixed for limited pivotal movement by means including a nut 119. The upper end of the rod 116 supports, for threaded axial adjustment thereon, a clevis 121 pivotally secured to the interior end of the lever base portion 109, for example by one of the bolts 113. By adjustment of the clevis 121 along the rod 116, the inclination of the lever 108 is changed.

An idler pulley assembly 123 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) is located adjacent the free end of the lever 108. A bolt 125 (FIG. 8) extends rotatably through an opening adjacent the end of the lever extension 111. A nut 126 retains the bolt 125 on the lever extension. Coaxial openings through the nut 126 and the shank of the bolt 125 slidably and rotatably receive a shaft 127 therethrough. The shaft 127 is headed at one end for retaining, preferably swivally, a conventional pulley block 129 thereon. The lower strand portion 97 extends from the winch 65 downwardly and interiorly through the pulley block 129 and then exteriorly and upwardly, substantially along the lever 108 toward a portion of the door intermediate the pivot bolt 39 and winch 65. The opposite end of the shaft 127 carries a coiled compression spring 31. The spring is retained on the shaft 126 by a washer 132 and nut 133. The strand end portion 97 is maintained at proper tension by threaded adjustment of the nut 133 to govern the radial distance between the pulley block 129 and the end of the lever 108. By suitable selection of the spring constant of spring 131, the idler pulley assembly 123 maintains tension of the strand end 97 while by allowing the pulley block 129 to shift radially with respect to the nut 125 for allowing minor changes in the effective length of the strand as the door 26 moves from position to position.

The lower strand portion 97 passes from the winch 65 through the idler pulley assembly 123 and then con nects through a length adjustment device, here a turnbuckle 136 (FIG. 2), to a fastening device, here an eye bolt 137, fixed to the adjacent door siderail 29 in spaced relation below the winch 65.

The upper strand end portion 96 (FIG. 1) extends from the winch 65 toward the building wall 13 above the door opening 12 and is releasably affixed thereto by a quick release catch 141. The catch 141 is fixed with respect to the building wall 13 and mounting plate 21 by a plate 142. The catch 141 (FIGS. 4 and 9) includes a generally U-shaped mounting bracket 144 having a bight portion 146 fixed to the plate 142 and spaced, substantially parallel legs 148 and 149 extending from the bight 146 and plate 142. A flange 151 on the free end of leg 149 extends parallel to and away from bight 146. An arm 153 of an L-shaped member 154 lies between the legs 148 and 149 and adjacent the leg 148, the remaining arm of the L member 154 being fixed to the bight 146. Legs 148 and 149 and arm 153 have coaxial openings for slidably receiving an elongate release rod 156 therethrough. A transverse pin 157 extends radially through the rod 156 between the arm 153 and leg 149 for preventing movement of the rod 156 substantially beyond the leg 148. A coil compression spring 158 is telescoped over the rod 156 between the pin 157 and leg 149. An actuating lever 161 has a threaded end which connects to the bight portion 162 of a generally U-shaped clevis member 163 by means of nuts 164. The free end edges of the arms of the clevis 163 are rounded at 166 (FIG. 9) to form cams which slidably bear on the mounting bracket leg 149. The remaining end of the release rod 150 is pivotally secured between the arms of the clevis 163 and by an offset rivet 167. Thus, a downward pull, as seen in FIG. 9, on the free end of the lever 161 pivots the clevis 163 against the bracket leg 149 pulling the release rod 156 rightwardly to clear the slot 168 defined between the leg 148 and arm 153.

The upper strand end portion 96 terminates in a latch ring 170 which is normally disposed in the slot 168 in surrounding latched relation on the release rod 156. A rightward movement ofthe release rod 156, by pivoting of the clevis as aforementioned, releases the ring 170 and hence the upper strand end portion 96, allowing the door 26 to be opened and closed by direct manual engagement.

As seen in FIG. 2, an actuating cord 170 depends from the free end of the latch lever 161 so that the catch 141 can be opened by a downward pull on the cord 172 from within the building. The lower end of the cord 172 is preferably secured to a pivot lever 173 pivotable from the outside of the garage through a conventional, key-actuated lock device 175 for allowing authorized persons to manually engage and open the door 26 from outside the building.

As stated, the door 26 is pivotable through approximately 90 from a substantially upright closed position to a substantially horizontal open condition. The idler pulley assembly 123 and catch 141 are preferably located immediately adjacent the ends of the path of pivotal movement of the winch 65 and are preferably symmetrically located, with respect to each other, on opposite sides of a line connecting the door pivot axis with the winch axis, when the door is half open. Further, the point of effective pivotal attachment of the lower strand end 97 to the door 26 (more precisely the pivotal connection of the turn buckle 136 to the eye bolt 137) is preferably located on a line between the door pivot axis and the pulley 129 with the door in its half open position. Since the winch 65 moves along an arc as the door moves from its position in FIG. 1 to an open or closed position, the parts of the strand portions 96 and 97 between the catch 141 and pulley 129 approximate chords of such are. The sum of the lengths ofsuch chords is reduced as the door moves to its fully open or fully closed position. Such would ordinarily introduce slack in the strand and tend to interfere with proper operation of the winch. However, the eye bolt 137 moves along an arc, also centered on the door pivot axis, to an upper limit point or a lower limit point as the door moves from its position in FIG. 1 to a fully closed or open position, respectively. The upper and lower limit points of arcuate movement of the eye bolt 137 are at a greater distance from the pulley 129 than is the eye bolt 137 with the door in its half open position. Thus, the portion of the strand (including the turnbuckle 136) between the pulley 129 and eye bolt 137 lengthens as the door moves to its fully closed or fully closed position to compensate for the decrease in the required length of strand between the catch 141 and pulley 129 during such door movement. Thus the strand is maintained taut regardless of the position of the door and substantially at the tension preselected by initial adjustment of the nut 133 (FIG. 8) of the idler assembly 123.

A switch plate 181 (FIGS. 2 and 3), here substantially of semicircular shape, extends internally of the building from the mounting plate 21. The switch plate 181 is preferably vertically centered on the door pivot bolt 39 between the lever base element 109 and the pivot bolt head 41. The exterior, or base, edge 182 of the switch plate 181 abuts the interior face of the mounting plate 21 and has a notch 183 (FIG. 3) for snugly but rotatably receiving the door pivot bolt 39. A circumferential slot 184 is provided in the switch plate 181 near the interior edge thereof and adjacent the lever base portion 109. The switch plate 181 and lever base portion 109 are releasably connected at the slot 184 by a nut and bolt connection 186. Thus, the switch plate 181 is fixedly positioned with respect to the door pivot axis and in a plane transverse thereto. Release of the nut and bolt connection 186 allows adjustment of the lever 108.

Upper and lower limit switches 188 and 189 are mounted on the side of the switch plate 181 opposite the lever 108. The limit switches 188, 189 are substantially equally radially spaced from the door pivot bolt 39 and are circumferentially spaced from each other. A limit switch actuator 191 includes an attachment member 192 which conforms in shape to and snugly surrounds the head 41 of the door pivot bolt 39. A screw and nut connector 194 fixedly secures the attachment member 192 to the pivot bolt head 41 and, further, secures to the attachment member a radially extending resilient leaf spring element 196. The leaf element 196 is provided with an enlarged end 197 adapted to contact the circumferentially opposed actuable elements of the upper and lower limit switches 188 and 189 when the door 26 is in its fully opened and fully closed position, respectively. The switch plate 181 is preferably provided with a removable cover indicated in broken lines at 199 for covering and protecting the switch actuator 191, limit switches 188 and 189, etc.

A remote control unit 201 (FIG. 2), for example of conventional radio controlled type, is preferably mounted on the on the interior face of the building wall 13 adjacent the door 26 to enable opening and/or closing of the door 26 at a position remote therefrom, for example from a vehicle seeking to enter the building structure. A manually actuable switch 202 enables power operated opening and closing of the door 26 from within the building and is mounted on the interior face of the building wall 13 adjacent the door. The remote control 201 and switch 202 connect through suitable electrical cabling 203 and 204, and with the motor cable 53' and a power supply lead 206, to suitable and conventional circuitry (not shown) connected to the limit switches 188 and 189 and preferably supported within the housing for opening and closing the door 26 in response to actuation of the switch 202 or remote control unit 201. Again, such electrical circuitry may be of any conventional nature. Although any of a variety of known circuits may be used, a suitable circuit is shown, for example, in U. S. Pat. No. 3 591 981.

If desired, a lamp 207 may be provided on the door, here beneath the ballast housing 31, for illuminating the area adjacent the door 26 when the switch 202 or remote control 201 is actuated for opening or closing the door and, preferably, for a short delay time thereafter, such actuation of the lamp 207 being conventional and requiring no further description.

OPERATION Normally, the system is arranged with the upper strand portion 96 fixed to the catch 141 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The strand portions 96, 97 are relieved of slack, during installation, by adjustment of the turnbuckle 136. Strand tension is set by adjustment of the nut 133 on the shaft 127 of the idler pulley assembly 123(FIGS. land 8).

The effective length of the positioning rod 116, hence the angular location of the lever 108, is adjusted by axial threaded movement of the positioning rod 116 with respect to the clevis 121, while the connection 186 between the lever 108 and the switch plate 181 is loosened. During installation, the catch 141 and (by adjustment by the length of the lever 108) the idler assembly 123 are preferably located at equal distances from the door pivot axis, near the arc described by movement of the strand tangency zone of the winch spool 81 during door pivoting and near, and at approximately equal distances from, the door closed and door opened positions, respectively, of the winch.

The nut 58 of the slip clutch of motor 47 is adjusted to provide for slip-free drive of the winch 65 under normal operating conditions but for allowing slippage in the event that the door encounters an obstacle during opening and closing movement, so as to avoid damage to the door system 10 or obstacle. Such a setting of the slip clutch allows the motor to coast somewhat after the door reaches its fully open or fully closed position thereby minimizing shock and avoiding damage to the door system.

With the door 26 in, for example, its fully open, substantially horizontal position, that is with the door rotated counterclockwise through approximately a quarter circle from its FIG. 1 position, the actuator 191 contacts, substantially as shown in FIG. 3, the lower limit switch 189. Actuation of either the remote control 201 or switch 202, through conventional circuitry not shown, energizes the motor 47 for counterclockwise rotation as seen in FIG. 1 causing a corresponding rotation of the winch input shaft 69 (FIG. 5).

The pin 84 normally connects the winch flanges 79 and 82 and thus connects the winch input shaft 69 through the reduction section 68 to the spool 81. Thus, such spool correspondingly rotates to pay out the lower strand portion 97 and take up the upper strand portion 96 to pivot the door 26 in a clockwise, or closing, direction. As the door moves from its fully open position, the actuator 196 releases lower limit switch 189. Door movement normally continues until the door reaches its fully closed, or substantially vertical, position whereat the switch actuator 196, which pivots with the door, strikes the upper limit switch 188. Such actuation of the upper limit switch 188 causes, in a conventional manner, de-energization of the motor 47. The switch 188 is preferably so located on the switch plate 181 as to be actuated slightly before the door reaches its fully closed position so that the last increment of closing door movement is accomplished immediately before the motor 47 coasts to a stop. If desired, a positive stop such as a lip on the floor 19 of the building structure may be provided to engage the lower edge of the door panel 27 to positively stop closing door movement. Any last increment of rotative coasting by the motor, when the door reaches such a stop, is absorbed by the slip clutch 55.

Opening of the door from its fully closed position is carried out substantially in the manner abovedescribed with respect to closing movement, including initiation by actuation of the control 201 or manual switch 202. However, during such opening movement, the door and switch actuator move in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the switch actuator 191 releasing the upper limit switch 188 at the beginning of opening movement and contacting the lower limit switch 189 as the door moves into its fully open position.

As the door 26 moves from its fully open or fully closed position, the effective distance along the strand portions 96 and 97 between the catch 141 and pulley assembly 123 (FIG. 1) increases to a maximum as the door approaches its mid position and thereafter decreases. Such a change in length wouldordinarily be accompanied by excessive strand tension and binding of door movement'toward its mid position or in excessive strand slack with the door in or near its full open and full closed positions. However, the aforementioned change in strand length required between the catch 141 and assembly 123 is compensated for by a corresponding and opposite change in length along the strand reach between the ring bolt 137 and the pulley assembly 123, such reach being of minimum length with the door in its midposition and extending to a maximum with the door fully opened or fully closed. Thus, the effective strand length connecting the rug bolt 137 to the catch 141 remains essentially constant as the door moves in closing and opening. Any minor error in such length compensation, due for example to a mislocation of the eye bolt 137 or lever 108 is automatically compensated for by axial movement of the shaft 127 of the idler assembly against the resilient force of the spring 131.

In the event that the door is stopped during opening or closing movement, for example by striking an obstruction, the clip clutch 55, 56, 57 slips, allowing the motor 47 to continue to run. Automatic shut off of the motor 47, in such a situation, can be achieved by incorporation of a conventional thermostatic shut off switch in the motor 47, or by other conventional means.

Manual rotation of the winch spool to move the door is carried out by rotation of the crank 77 with or without connection of the winch, through belt 101, to the motor 47. On the other hand, direct manual operation of the door is accomplished by a downward pull on the cord 172, either directly from the interior of the building structure or, preferably through a key, by actuation of the lock device 175 from outside the building. Such a downward movement of the cord 172 rocks the lever 161 downwardly about the axis of the rivet 167 whereby the cam edges 166 pull the release rod 156 rightwardly, as seen in FIG. 9, out of the slot 168 thereby releasing the latch ring 170, allowing direct manual door opening. Alternately, release of drive pin 84 allows winch spool 81 to free wheel for manual door pivoting. Absent either such release, the winch reduction unit 68 positively prevents direct manual door movement.

MODIFICATIONS FIG. discloses a modified winch drive arrangement 210 for alternative use in the embodiment in FIG. 1. Parts of the modified winch drive assembly 210 similar to corresponding parts of the apparatus of FIGS. 19 are identified by the same reference numberals thereas with the suffix A added thereto. The mounting bracket 67A for the winch 65A is fixed beneath an extension of the top plate 212 of the door 26A, such top plate defining the top of a ballast housing (not shown) corresponding to ballast housing 31 of FIG. 2. The mounting bracket 48A of the motor 47A is dependently secured by releasable nut and bolt connectors 213 to the top plate 212 for limited sliding movement of the motor 47A transversely of the door and within the ballast housing. The motor 47A is laterally located between the door side rail 29A and an angle member 215 of the door 26A.

The motor 47A is coaxially aligned with the input shaft 69A of the winch 65A and connects thereto through a slip clutch assembly 216. The slip clutch assembly 216 comprises a driven disk 217 fixed to the winch shaft 69A, a driving disk 218 coaxial therewith and a ring 219 ofa conventional friction material sandwiched therebetween for frictionally engaging same. The driving disk 218 has a leftwardly extending shaft 220. A coupling sleeve 221 fixedly connects the driving disk shaft 220 to the output shaft 51A of motor 47A for rotation therewith whereby rotation of the motor shaft 51A tends, through the sleeve 221 and clutch assembly 216, to rotate the input shaft 69A of the winch 65A.

A clutch torque adjuster 222 includes a threaded shaft 223 which extends through an opening (not shown) in the flange of the angle 213 preferably in coaxiality with the motor 47A. The shaft 223 threadedly engages the angle 215, here by means ofa nut 224 welded to the angle 215. A compression spring 224 is telescoped over the rightward end of the shaft 223 and extends axially between a pin 26 extending diametrally through the shaft 223 and a generally cup-shaped member 228 located on the rightward end of the motor. A wing member 229 is fixed to the leftward end of the shaft 223 and is manually engageable for rotating the shaft 223. Rotation of the shaft 223 threadedly shifts same axially varying the degree of compression of the spring 224 and hence the axial force by which the motor 47A urges the driving disk 218 toward the driven disk 217 of the clutch, whereby to establish the maximum torque to be transmitted by the clutch without slippage. The provision for rotatably driving the winch in FIG. 10 is thus somewhat simplified from that disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 1-9. Further, location of both the motor 47 and winch 65A adjacent the upper end of the door reduces the amount of counterbalance weight required for counterbalancing the door 26A.

FIG. 11 discloses a further modified drive arrangement 231 for the winch. Portion of the apparatus of FIG. 11 similar to corresponding portions of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-9 will be referred to by the same reference symbols thereas with the suffix B added. The winch drive assembly 231 comprises a gear motor 233 preferably mounted on the laterally outer wall of the door side rail 29B adjacent the winch 65B. The gear motor 233 may be of any conventional nature comprising a motor 478 driving, through a gear box 234 fixed to the housing of motor 478, and, preferably, a slip clutch not shown, the input shaft of the winch.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A power operated tilting door system for opening and closing a portal in a building, comprising in combination:

a door mounted on said building at said portal for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, to open and close said portal;

rotatable winch means on said door and motor means on said door for rotatably driving said winch means;

an elongate strand in wrapping engagement with said winch means and having first and second free ends;

first means securing said first end to said building on one side of said door;

second means securing said second end to said door remotely from said winch means;

strand tension means carried by said building on the other side of said door, said strand movably engaging said tension means intermediate its engagement with said winch means and second means;

whereby rotation of said winch means by said motor means moves said winch means along said strand for opening and closing of said door.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the top of said door is spaced above said axis, said winch means comprises a winch located near the upper edge of said door, said motor being secured to said door above said axis, said motor and winch being located adjacent one side of said door, said winch describing an are about said axis as said door pivots between its open and closed positions, said first means and said strand tension means being located adjacent the position of said winch on said arc with the door closed and open respectively.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 in which said first means and strand tension means are substantially symmetrically located with respect to the position of said winch when said door is located at equal distances from its fully open and fully closed positions and said second means is located on said door above said door axis and below said winch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second means is so located on said door so as to be disposed substantially on a line between said door axis and said strand tension means when said door is substantially midway between its open and closed positions, whereby reduction of an effective strand length between said first means and said strand tension means as said door swings from said mid position toward its open or closed position is compensated for by an effective increase in strand length between said strand tension means and said second means due to corresponding movement of said second means with said door.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said winch means is spaced along said door from said door axis and said second means is located on said door at a lesser distance from said door axis whereby a change in the effective length of strand between said first means and said strand tension means during tilting of said door is compensated for by an opposing change in effective length of strand between said second means and said strand tension means so as to minimize changes of strand tension during tilting of said door.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said strand tension means comprises an elongate member fixed to said building adjacent said door axis and extending interiorly of said building, pulley means slidably engageable with said strand for changing the direction of said strand and means supporting said pulley means on said elongate member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said means mounting said pulley means comprises a resilient element and means for adjusting the resilient force applied by said resilient element to said pulley means, said resilient element being arranged for causing said pulley means to impose a preselectable tension on said strand.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said pulley means comprises a pulley and said means mounting said pulley means further comprises a shaft slidably mounted on said elongate member and secured to said pulley for allowing movement of said pulley for tightening or loosening tension of said strand, said resilient means comprising a spring disposed between said elongate member and said shaft for causing said pulley to impose tension on said strand, said adjustment means comprising a manually engageable element threadedly engaging said shaft and adjustable thereon for changing the force of said spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 including a shaftlike element defining the pivot axis of said door and extending sidewardly from said door, bearing means on said building rotatably supporting said shaftlike element, said elongate member comprising a substantially U- shaped inner element pivotally engaging said shaftlike element on opposite sides of said bearing means, said elongate member further comprising an elongate outer element carried by said inner element in adjustably spaced relation to said bearing means and further including a positioning rod carried by said building and of adjustable length, the remaining end of said positioning rod supporting said elongate element intermediate said ends for fixedly but adjustably locating said pulley means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 including strand length adjusting means interposed in said strand intermediate said second means and strand tension means.

l l. The apparatus of claim 1 including limit switches and means fixedly locating said limit switches at a preset radial distance from said door axis, said limit switches being angularly spaced from each other with respect to said door axis, bearing means on said building and a shaftlike element on said door supported by said bearing means'for defining said door axis, said shaftlike means being pivotable with said door, an elongate actuator fixed to said shaftlike element for actuat ing ones of said limit switches when said door is adjacent its open and closed positions, respectively.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first means comprises a catch for releasably securing said first strand end to said building and an elongate actuating element connected to said catch for enabling remote operation of said catch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said first strand end includes a latch ring, said catch including a bracket defining a slot for receiving said latch ring, an axially movable release rod which extends across said slot and through said latch ring for securing said first strand end to said building, means resiliently urging said release rod into said slot and cam means responsive to a pull on said actuating element for pulling said release rod from said slot and out of engagement with said latch ring for releasing said first cable end from securement to said building, whereby upon release of said first strand end, said door can be manually tilted without actuation of said winch means.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 including a slip clutch interposed between said winch means and said motor means.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said winch means comprises a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output member and means coupling said input shaft and rotatable output member, said strand having an intermediate portion wrapped upon said output member and defining a first strand layer thereon, means defining a cover layer surrounding said first strand layer, said cover layer having a pair of openings adjacent opposite ends thereof through which portions of said strand extend from said first layer, said extending portions of said strand being wrapped in opposite directions on said cover layer to define second strand layer portions, the ends of said strand extending from the opposed inner ends of said second strand layer portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said output means comprises telescoped outer and inner sleeves, said first strand layer being wound on said outer sleeve and said inner sleeve being rotatably coupled to said input shaft, said output member further including means releasably engaging said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve whereby rotation of said inner sleeve results in a corresponding winding and unwinding of said strand ends on said cover layer.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motor means is located on said door in spaced relation between said winch means and said door axis and including endless drive means connecting said motor means and winch means for moving said winch means along said strand.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motor means and winch means have coaxially aligned shafts and are located adjacent the upper edge of said door, said motor means lying inboard of said winch means with respect to said door, a coaxial drive connection coupling said motor means and winch means, said drive means comprises a gear motor fixed to said door adjacent the side thereof, said winch means comprising a winch fixed to the side of said door adjacent the upper end of said door and drivingly coupled to said gear motor means. 

1. A power operated tilting door system for opening and closing a portal in a building, comprising in combination: a door mounted on said building at said portal for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, to open and close said portal; rotatable winch means on said door and motor means on said door for rotatably driving said winch means; an elongate strand in wrapping engagement with said winch means and having first and second free ends; first means securing said first end to said building on one side of said door; second means securing said second end to said door remotely from said winch means; strand tension means carried by said building on the other side of said door, said strand movably engaging said tension means intermediate its engagement with said winch means and second means; whereby rotation of said winch means by said motor means moves said winch means along said strand for opening and closing of said door.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the top of said door is spaced above said axis, said winch means comprises a winch located near the upper edge of said door, said motor being secured to said door above said axis, said motor and winch being located adjacent one end of said door, said winch describing an arc about said axis as said door pivots between its open and closed positions, said first means and said strand tension means being located adjacent the position of said winch on said arc with the door closed and open respectively.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 in which said first means and strand tension means are substantially symmetrically located with respect to the position of said winch when said door is located at equal distances from its fully open and fully closed positions and said second means is located on said door above said door axis and below said winch.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second means is so located on said door so as to be disposed substantially on a line between said door axis and said strand tension means when said door is substantially midway between its open and closed positions, whereby reduction of an effective strand length between said first means and said strand tension means as said door swings from said mid position toward its open or closed position is compensated for by an effective increase in strand length between said strand tension means and said second means due to corresponding movement of said second means with said door.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said winch means is spaced along said door from said door axis and said second means is located on said door at a lesser distance from said door axis whereby a change in the effective length of strand between said first means and said strand tension means during tilting of said door is compensated for by an opposing change in effective length of strand between said second means and said strand tension means so as to minimize changes of strand tension during tilting of said door.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said strand tension means comprises an elongate member fixed to said building adjacent said door axis and extending interiorly of said building, Pulley means slidably engageable with said strand for changing the direction of said strand and means mounting said pulley means on said elongate member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said means mounting said pulley means comprises a resilient element and means for adjusting the resilient force applied by said resilient element to said pulley means, said resilient element being arranged for causing said pulley means to impose a preselectable tension on said strand.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said pulley means comprises a pulley and said means mounting said pulley means further comprises a shaft slidably mounted on said elongate member and secured to said pulley for allowing movement of said pulley for tightening or loosening tension of said strand, said resilient element comprising a spring disposed between said elongate member and said shaft for causing said pulley to impose tension on said strand, said adjustment means comprising a manually engageable element threadedly engaging said shaft and adjustable thereon for changing the force of said spring.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 including a shaftlike element defining the pivot axis of said door and extending endwise from said door, bearing means on said building rotatably supporting said shaftlike element, said elongate member comprising a substantially U-shaped inner element pivotally engaging said shaftlike element on opposite sides of said bearing means, said elongate member further comprising an elongate outer element carried by said inner element in adjustably spaced relation to said bearing means and further including a positioning rod carried adjacent one end thereof by said building and of adjustable length, the remaining end of said positioning rod supporting said elongate member intermediate its ends for fixedly but adjustably locating said pulley means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 including strand length adjusting means interposed in said strand intermediate said second means and strand tension means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 including limit switches and means fixedly locating said limit switches at a preset radial distance from said door axis, said limit switches being angularly spaced from each other with respect to said door axis, bearing means on said building and a shaftlike element on said door supported by said bearing means for defining said door axis, said shaftlike element being pivotable with said door, an elongate actuator fixed to said shaftlike element for actuating ones of said limit switches when said door is adjacent its open and closed positions, respectively.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first means comprises a catch for releasably securing said first strand end to said building and an elongate actuating element connected to said catch for enabling remote operation of said catch.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said first strand end includes a latch ring, said catch including a bracket defining a slot for receiving said latch ring, an axially movable release rod which extends across said slot and through said latch ring for securing said first strand end to said building, means resiliently urging said release rod into said slot and cam means responsive to a pull on said actuating element for pulling said release rod from said slot and out of engagement with said latch ring for releasing said first strand end from securement to said building, whereby upon release of said first strand end, said door can be manually tilted without actuation of said winch means.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 including a slip clutch interposed between said winch means and said motor means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said winch means comprises a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output member and means coupling said input shaft and rotatable output member, said strand having an intermediate portion wrapped upon said output member and defining a first strand layer thereon, means defining a cover layer surrounding said first strand layer, saiD cover layer having a pair of openings adjacent opposite ends thereof through which portions of said strand extend from said first layer, said extending portions of said strand being wrapped in opposite directions on said cover layer to define second strand layer portions, the ends of said strand extending from the opposed inner ends of said second strand layer portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said output member comprises telescoped outer and inner sleeves, said first strand layer being wound on said outer sleeve and said inner sleeve being rotatably coupled to said input shaft, said output member further including means releasably engaging said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve whereby rotation of said inner sleeve results in a corresponding winding and unwinding of said strand ends on said cover layer.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motor means is located on said door in spaced relation between said winch means and said door axis and including endless drive means connecting said motor means and winch means for moving said winch means along said strand.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motor means and winch means have coaxially aligned shafts and are located adjacent the upper edge of said door, said motor means lying inboard of said winch means with respect to said door, a coaxial drive connection coupling said motor means and winch means, said drive connection including a slip clutch, means for adjusting the output of said slip clutch including resilient means for axially shifting said motor means with respect to said winch means and means adjustable for setting the resilient force of said resilient means.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motor means comprises a gear motor fixed to said door adjacent the end thereof, said winch means comprising a winch fixed to the end of said door adjacent the upper edge of said door and drivingly coupled to said gear motor means. 